All schools and multi-academy trusts are required to have a climate action plan in place by September 2025
A holistic climate action plan should cover the following 4 areas:
decarbonisation, for example calculating and taking actions to reduce carbon emissions, such as becoming more energy efficient
adaptation and resilience, such as taking actions to reduce the risk of flooding and overheating
improving the environment and biodiversity, for example engaging with the National Education Nature Park
climate education and green careers, such as ensuring the education you provide gives knowledge-rich and comprehensive teaching about climate change, and that your teaching staff and lecturers feel supported to offer this
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/sustainability-leadership-and-climate-action-plans-in-education
Advice from XXXX - (email)
Better still, join our climate community - XXXX link
The Sutton Trust have published an interactive map allows you to explore access to opportunity for disadvantaged young people in different constituencies across England.
The map is based on the Sutton Trust Opportunity Index, which ranks constituencies according to a range of measures, including school attainment, access to higher education, employment status and earnings of young people eligible for free school meals (FSM) at secondary school.
You can explore this here: https://www.suttontrust.com/opportunity-index-interactive-map/
This highlights the opportunities within the Newham consitituencies, which are all towards the very top of the list.
New DfE research and analysis (available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/year-on-year-change-in-pupil-attendance) shows that as absence levels increase, the likelihood of returning to 0 to 10% absence rates in the following year decreases. This effect begins to increase for year 6 pupils transitioning into year 7.
To help secondary schools identify concerning absence rates for incoming year 7s, we have provided them with a new data download. The data contains year 6 absence data for all pupils offered a place at their secondary school on national offer day (1 March 2025). It is available via the Monitor your school attendance data tool (available at: https://viewyourdata.education.gov.uk/)
Sign up to our Monitor your school attendance webinar on Tuesday 10 June at 12pm to 12:45pm. Learn more about latest policy developments, new features and how our reports can help you manage attendance. You can book your place here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/monitor-your-school-attendance-webinar-for-schools-trusts-and-las-june-tickets-1298919696779
From Violet Otieno:
Message from Andrew Kemp for attendees at the Newham Schools Sustainability Conference...
We are really looking forward to welcoming you to the Newham Schools Sustainability Conference 2025 on Tuesday 20 May 2025.
What's in store for you on the day?
As you will see in the agenda, we have a jam-packed schedule of talks, student presentations, workshops and discussions that will be both informative and fun! Speakers include council representatives, energy and retrofit specialists, the Royal Horticultural Society, UCL and more.
Refreshments and lunch will also be provided.
Over the course of the day, we'll be answering key questions like:
How can schools reduce energy, save on their bills and move away from fossil fuels?
What can schools do to bring students closer to nature?
How do schools get help with their Climate Action Plans?
Where can green skills take our kids in the future?
What funding options are out there for all of this?!
How will you find the venue?
The conference will be held at the Royal Docks Centre for Sustainability, which is located just a minute's walk away from Cyprus DLR station. The attached maps will help you to find the building, and then you'll see us on the ground floor foyer.
For anyone who needs parking, please send me your name and license plate number for me to pass to UEL. E: Andrew.kemp@newham.gov.uk
This toolkit has been published as part of the Rethinking Curriculum project, kindly funded by The Helen Hamlyn Trust. You can find the toolkit here:
https://my.chartered.college/research-hub/rethinking-curriculum-oracy-toolkit/
Ofsted have published the Big Listen Monitoring Report, with an update on actions since undertaking the Big Listen. You can find the report here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/big-listen-action-monitoring-reports/big-listen-action-monitoring-report-march-2025
LBN are hosting a SEN KIT meeting via Teams on Monday 19 May 2025 10:00 – 11:30.
You can join the meeting via the details below:
Meeting ID: 368 328 277 247 0
Passcode: Fo2VA9Tu
The DfE have updated their guidance on careers in schools, based on the revised Gatsby Careers Benchmarks. The guidance can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/careers-guidance-provision-for-young-people-in-schools/careers-guidance-and-access-for-education-and-training-providers
A reminder for all Newham Learning Board members that the next board meeting will take place online on Monday 19 May at 13:00. An invitation has been sent out. This will be updated with an agenda board papers within the next day or so.
A while ago the Social Mobility Commission produced a useful website for schools. It helps schools evaluate their Pupil Premium statements and can support with writing statements for the following academic year. You can find this here: https://educationobservatory.co.uk/pupilpremiumprimer/
The DfE have just released 'Year-on-year change in pupil attendance Research Report'. This is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681db69a3f1c73824ee3e61b/Year_on_year_change_in_pupil_attendance.pdf
The DfE have just released an illustrated version of 'Working Together to Safeguard Children', aimed at schools wanting to use the materials with pupils. It is available here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/681b42043f1c73824ee3e4f0/Children_and_young_person_guide_to_working_together_to_safeguard_children.pdf
Newham Learning wishes all pupils in year 6 the best of luck for their SAT tests this week. We also wish pupils in year 11 with their GCSE exams as their exams take place over the next 5 weeks.
The Newham Learning subscriptions for the summer term are now due.
You will shortly receive an invoice from Sandringham Primary School, who have kindly volunteered to collect subscriptions on behalf of Newham Learning.
Please help our team by alerting your finance team to look out for the invoice and authorise payment as soon as possible.
We received good news from the Ogden Trust that we have been accepted to lead a double partnership. The feedback was as follows...
'You presented a strong application, which aligned with the core values of The Ogden Trust. There is clear support from senior leaders to champion your work in science and local networks. We are confident this will be a successful partnership with significant impact in your local community.'
We will update you with further details as they emerge.
The Department for Education has released some recently commissioned research, evaluating the impact of pupil premium. The summary on pages 8-16 covers the main points. You can find the report here:
Still recruiting: Secondary Mastery Specialist Programme
Read more here: https://www.ncetm.org.uk/maths-hubs-projects/secondary-mastery-specialist-programme/
The DfE has released a new tool identifying the policies and processes schools and multi-academy trusts need to protect personal data and respond effectively to a personal data breach.
This toolkit will help school staff, governors and trustees:
understand how to comply with data protection law
develop their data policies and processes
know what staff and pupil data to keep
follow good practices for preventing personal data breaches
You can find the toolkit here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/data-protection-in-schools
The DfE have released a new tool to check Early Years qualifications, helping managers check if an early years qualification is approved by DfE and see if the holder can count in staff:child ratios in an early years setting in England.
You can find the tool here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/check-an-early-years-qualification
Free webinar - Supporting students with low mood and anxiety: Identifying the signs and providing early intervention.
26 March 2025 - 16:00-17:00
To book, visit: https://www.annafreud.org/services/services-for-professionals/school-and-college-services/schools-and-colleges-early-support-service/
The DfE have produced their interim report of the curriculum and assessment review. It can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/curriculum-and-assessment-review-publishes-interim-findings
From Violet Otieno:
Hello all,
I hope you are all well. I am sending the Google form to gauge availability and interest in pre-Easter drinks on Thursday 3rd April. As it has been successful previously, I am sticking with Wanstead Cuckfield.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeznjkwjLq0faPlFXHuT1MeVNDz7XUW0g-saRlsXxqmoGjzYA/viewform
We have been made aware of the following training for Teaching Assistants. It attracts a significant level of funding. For further visits please visit:
https://train.letta.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Specialist-Teaching-Assistant.pdf
Please read this and pass this on to your attendance lead:
The DfE have just published a research report on the link between attendance and attainment. You can read this here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67c96d7dd0fba2f1334cf2ed/The_link_between_attendance_and_attainment_in_an_assessment_year_-_March_2025.pdf
They have also produced a report on the findings about the link between attendance and future earnings for pupils. You can read this here:
Last week, Sir Martyn Oliver made a speech at ASCL conference. You can find the transcript here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/martyn-olivers-speech-at-the-ascl-annual-conference
From NFER:
The 2025 Teacher Labour Market in England Annual Report has been published. Sadly, it makes for a relatively bleak picture. You can read this report here: https://www.nfer.ac.uk/publications/teacher-labour-market-in-england-annual-report-2025/
From Dr Wayne Harrison at WhatWorked Education
Primary Teachers Needed for Research on Al Lesson Planning
We are conducting a study on how Al can support primary school teachers in lesson planning and are looking for teachers to share their experiences.
What's Involved?
Test an Al lesson planner for 3 weeks
Keep a simple log of when, how, and why you used it
Take part in a short interview to discuss your experience and receive a £50 Amazon voucher
To register, or if you're interested but have questions, please book in for a 5-10 minute chat with the research team who will answer any questions before you decide to take part.
BOOK NOW https://calendly.com/emma-dobson-whatworked/ai-lesson-planning-study-chat
You can view/download a flyer with this information here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/18gs1Djuh93PQLvA1rGGyOr_KnmEwG3p4/view?usp=drive_link
Colleagues from Newham Learning had a positive conversation with representatives from the Ogden Trust on Monday 10 March. We gathered some more information about the partnership, including that there is an Early Years offer, enabling Nursery Schools to join the partnership. Further details of the prospective partnership can be found here: https://www.ogdentrust.com/school-partnerships/
We have also received copies of the powerpoint shared by the Ogden Trust in the meeting: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QAjvHnKWUR3Mx6YSgqq6NPDYRy6tn76r/view?usp=drive_link
And the CPD guide: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1v4RPay73TjdPCdvzzObJG7kI0FbT_R46/view?usp=drive_link
Our proposed partnership schools are:
West Ham Church Primary School, Star Primary, William Davies Primary, Park Primary School, Godwin Junior School, Plaistow Primary, Sandringham Primary school, Central Park Primary, Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, Stratford Manor Primary, Winsor Primary School, Sir John Heron Primary School, Brampton Primary School, Salisbury Primary School, Avenue Primary School, Keir Hardie Primary, Altmore Infant School, Lathom Junior School, Kingsford Community School, Tunmarsh School, New Directions, Scott Wilkie Primary School
If your school is not on the list and you would like to join the application (and you are not in a current partnership), there is still an opportunity to do so. Please complete this form to add your school to this list: https://forms.gle/eN3YBmADYGQcaqzg6
The TES school awards are now open. You can find out more about how to nominate your school here: https://www.tes.com/schools-awards/uk/categories-and-criteria
Could you spot the signs a pupil is struggling with their mental health?
Join our free webinar with @andrewcowley23.bsky.social on 12 March to discover expert insights and increase your confidence in handling wellbeing issues in your school.
Sign up here: key.sc/mentalhealthwebinar
The Confederation of School Trusts has recently published a guidance document outlining what they believe are 10 principles for a new SEND system. Given our many discussions about SEND, this makes for interesting reading: https://cstuk.org.uk/knowledge/guidance-and-policy/policies-education-policy/ten-principles-for-a-new-send-system/
Please pass this on to your Chair of Governors and/or your governing body:
The DfE has recently published new guidance for governing bodies: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/sen-and-disability-duties-guidance-for-school-governing-boards/special-educational-needs-sen-and-disabilities-guidance-for-school-governing-boards
Please pass this on to your Chair of Governors and/or your governing body:
The NGA has recently released new guidance on tackling disadvantage in education. There are aslo links to five useful toolkits. The guidance can be found here: https://www.nga.org.uk/knowledge-centre/disadvantage-in-education/
Could you join the list of prestigious winners of this award, including last year's winners Scott Wilkie Primary School, Newham!
Could you be UKLA's next Literacy School of the Year? Sponsored by Hays Education, The UKLA Literacy School of the Year Award highlights the best of literacy teaching and learning in the UK. Any UKLA member can nominate a school which they believe to be worthy of the award.
Join the UKLA over Zoom on March 4th, at 4pm, to find out more about this prestigious UKLA Award from convenor, Chris Lockwood, and a selection of previous winners.
The event is online and free to attend for UKLA members and non-members interested in the Award. The Zoom link can be accessed via this link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82241524955?pwd=OkrTODjbojEpVwyaTmvQPQR6Ek8TRv.1
A flyer is available here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o7RmC06aJ7pj7Oh_I6PT70ZI_Sf4k6Dd/view?usp=drive_link
You can find out more about the award and apply here: https://ukla.org/awards/literacy-school-of-the-year/
Join the Chartered College of Teaching for the first Great Big Small Schools Network session on 18th March, 3:45-4:45, where we will contribute to the Ofsted consultation on small schools. Hear from Ofsted’s Mike Sheridan and Lee Owston, ask questions, and provide input on the new framework.
To find out more, please visit:
https://my.chartered.college/event/small-schools-conversation-with-ofsted-online-network-session/
Reasonable force reporting requirement: What schools need to know
DfE proposes first update to guidance in over a decade, with changes effective from September 2025...
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/reasonable-force-reporting-requirement-what-schools-need-to-know/
You can read the proposals here:
You can respond to the proposals here:
https://consult.education.gov.uk/behaviour-unit/revised-use-of-reasonable-force-guidance/
Climate Community - Schools Sustainability Climate Action Plans and SAVE THE DATE Climate Conference 20 May 2025 - 05/02/2025
Violet Otieno have been liaising with colleagues from the Climate Ambassador Programme (UCL). They offer support to schools to complete their Action Plans.
Please complete the Google form by Thursday 13th Feb) to help Violet understand the need and plan the support effectively.
Also - please SAVE THE DATE for the Sustainability Climate Change Annual Conference. This will be held on 20th May 2025 at UEL Royal Docks.
From Fliss James at East London Research School:
The London and South East group of Research Schools is leading the UnlockEd conference. It is being held on 02 Apr 2025 at UCL East. There are keynotes from Bennie Kara and Jeffrey Boakye and a menu of 24 workshops from which each delegate can choose four. Refreshments and buffet lunch are included.
Tickets are £140. To book your place, please visit: https://www.unlock-ed.org/
Changes to Ofsted Inspections - 17/02/2025
There have been a series of updates about forthcoming changes to Ofsted Inspections.
There are five new proposals:
1 - The introduction of new report cards
2 - Education inspection toolkits
3 - Inspection methodology
4 - All inspections will be full inspections
5 - Identifying schools causing concern
More details can be found here:
Schools Week have also put together an interesting quiz to help unpick the language of the new toolkits.
https://schoolsweek.co.uk/ofsted-quiz-can-you-spot-a-strong-rating-from-a-secure-one/
You can respond to the proposals here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/improving-the-way-ofsted-inspects-education
There is a Local Authority SEND meeting this morning. The link is here:
Meeting ID: 385 020 716 52
Passcode: Xt7gV6nV
From Lily Flashman at RAFT via Violet Otieno
This is a reminder email that the RAFT Premises Managers Online Clinic will take place next week on 18th March from 12-1pm. This is an online drop-in session where schools can ask us (an architect from RAFT and a services engineer from Inspired Efficiency) questions. The council will also attend this meeting to better understand the sorts of issues being raised. If this is of interest to your headteacher, site or business managers, please register your interest here.
Teams meeting information is enclosed below:
Date: 18th March
Time: 12:00 - 13:00
Meeting ID: 388 467 439 007
Passcode: r6Yj7Tu3
We look forward to seeing you there.
As an organisation, that devotes a lot of time to our literacy products, we understand how transformative books are for a child's development. Reading opens doors to new worlds and perspectives, helping pupils to learn, grow, and understand new and exciting ideas. We are proud to work alongside schools to support pupils' literacy and encourage a positive reading culture in every school.
To celebrate World Book Day, we are running a competition where 3 lucky schools will receive a book token to the value of £50!
You can enter by sharing your entry on your school's X (formerly Twitter) or Facebook account, using both hashtags: hashtag#FFTWorldBookDay2025 hashtag#WorldBookDay or, if you don’t use these platforms, email us at literacy@fft.org.uk.
The deadline for entries is Friday 14 March, with the three winners to be announced the following week.
Sarah Seleznyov is looking for two more schools to be named in a bid and receive funding. The deadline for this is 20 February.
This project will involve funding to introduce a project very much like an EPQ (Extended Project Qualification), which is an A' Level equivalent, but in Y5-6. This is a collaborative 'passion project' supported by an external mentor, and which is designed to develop the following skills: research, presentation (oracy), creativity and collaboration. More information about the project itself can be found here: Primary Extended Project Assessment for Y5 and 6.
We are applying for funding to run a pilot of the project, which would involve the following activity across the academic year 2025-26;
developing resources and associated professional development for teachers;
training two teachers in each of eight participating school to run the programme in Year 5 and/or 6 (and making a significant contribution towards cover costs);
providing ongoing support for these teachers to evaluate the impact of the project work on pupils.
We are interested in taking on schools who can commit to the project, including sending nominated teachers to 3.5 days of professional development across the academic year (all sessions taking place in London), and freeing up some curriculum time in Year 5 and/or 6 to accommodate the project.
We need to nominate eight schools in the funding bid and will therefore operate a first-come-first-served policy. Do respond by return of email if you are interested, detailing:
your name
your role
school name
headteacher name and email (if different to the above)
which teachers will be nominated (two across Year 5 and 6, ideally with names and email addresses).
Please email sarah.seleznyov@bigeducation.org if you have any queries about the proposal.
Board meeting - 31/01/2025
The next Newham Learning Board meeting takes place on Monday 03 February from 13:00 - 14:30, online.
Board members have had a meeting invitation and papers circulated.
EnlightenEd Leadership Programme - updated 31/01/2025
The next round of the EnlightenEd Leadership programme commences next Friday 03 February.
Dear Colleague,
We are delighted to have partnered with Newham Learning to deliver their 2025 Head Teachers Conference and would like to formally invite you to attend what promises to be an enjoyable, engaging and regenerative few days.
Get ready to connect, learn and reflect at the conference which will be held at the renowned Down Hall Hotel and Spa Estate, Matching Road, Hatfield Heath, Essex, CM22 7AS on Wednesday 25th to Friday 27th June 2025.
The theme of the conference is “The Future of Education” Newham Learning Members will receive one free place.
If you would like to attend please complete the attached google form to express your interest. BOOKING FORM
Places are limited so please book early to avoid disappointment. Further details of the event agenda and speakers will be shared in the coming weeks.
If you have any questions please get in touch via email LetsTalk@TheEducationSpace.co.uk or on 0208 249 6900 option 1.
Stewart Kiddell
Please note that the Spring Term Newham Learning Invoices will be sent out this week from Sandringham Primary School. Please could you ask your finance team to look out for these. Prompt payment is very much appreciated.
Please pass this on to your Science/STEM lead or your Year 5 and 6 teachers:
Year 5 & 6 teachers! This British Science Week, join a free, exciting virtual escape room where students solve puzzles, uncover clues, and explore London Transport’s evolution to escape a disused Underground station. Register by 7 March. https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=v2W9H-9d6k6mkqCJwlU0a6vXkV1iCJNHlyeyM16DQzFUMjM5NEpDTVRRVFpKS1ZMSDlOS0wwS0tKSC4u
Please pass this on to your Science/STEM lead:
The STEMAZING Inspiration Academy, starting in March, offers free, online STEM sessions for primary schools nationwide, thanks to STEMAZING Partners. Trained women in STEM lead four weekly hands-on sessions for children aged 7–9, fostering curiosity, creativity, and courage through experiments and STEM masterpieces.
Sign up here: https://www.stemazing.co.uk/inspiration-academy
Please pass this on to your Science/STEM lead:
Discover our free webinars for teachers, designed to engage and inspire students in the classroom. Sign up to our Eventbrite to be the first to know when our British Science Week webinars are live. Don’t miss out on these valuable learning opportunities!
Sign up here: https://www.google.com/url?q=https%3A%2F%2Femail.stem.org.uk%2Fc%2F11kbxHtkn9XlMlfWkSvlUCThdR&sa=D
Ogden Trust Partnership - Updated 10/01/2025
You may remember some time ago that I mentioned a funding opportunity from the Ogden Trust for Physics support (please note that this is separate from previous conversations about Physics Partners).
Newham has been listed as an area that the Ogden Trust would like to fund Physics support.
I've confirmed with the Ogden Trust that we can apply for a large super-partnership, potentially including all Newham Learning schools.This draws in funding for up to 5 years. In addition to access to free CPD, we would also potentially have some funding for staff release to organise and run the partnership.
How it works
The Ogden Trust has an open application process - which is slightly oversubscribed each year - for groups of schools to apply to run a partnership for 5 years.
Each partnership must have a secondary school (and that includes SEND schools and Alternative Provisions). Partnerships are a minimum of 6 schools. A super partnership must keep the ratios listed above.
The full details of the funding and the application are here:
https://www.ogdentrust.com/school-partnerships/
If you are happy to be involved, I will apply on behalf of all interested Newham Learning Schools to host an Ogden Trust super-partnership.
Next steps
If you are willing to support the super-partnership, please complete the following form (it takes less than 2 minutes) by Wednesday 8th January 2025.
Expression of interest form: https://forms.gle/pTERQc4A3CTBVJQW8
UPDATE: We have submitted an application with 19 schools for a 'super-partnership'. Thank you to schools for the quick turnaround. We should hear within 5 weeks about whether we proceed to the next stage
KIT Meeting agendas - 20/12/2024
Please find the link below to the agenda for the Spring Newham Learning KIT meetings. You will see there are a wide range of speakers that have been invited to present about their area of expertise. Some of you might recognise the speakers. Newham Learning is very grateful to them all for giving up their time to speak. Can I ask that you share the agenda with your senior and middle leadership teams.
This is the link to the same document on google drive.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ktT6I4UmyoG6SHTkqMKsijpchWQXHWvIBh0XJwmp1IU/edit?usp=sharing
For secondary colleagues there is an interesting talk by Dr Gemma Goldenberg and the possibilities of work experience for students who are interested in working in developmental psychology.
The link remains the same for the meeting I have shared it again below and the link to add it to your calendar.
For all at Newham Learning, we would like to wish you a happy and safe Christmas Holiday and we look forward to seeing you in 2025.
Robert
Topic: Newham Learning HT KIT meetings
Time: Jan 16, 2025 10:00 AM London
Please download and import the following iCalendar (.ics) files to your calendar system.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87455785446?pwd=VUM4OFIyNmZQckJvUitRV2s2elczQT09
Meeting ID: 874 5578 5446
Passcode: 3G0xxB
Last week, Sir Martyn Oliver spoke at the ASCL conference. You can find a transcript of his speech here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/martyn-olivers-speech-at-the-ascl-annual-conference